The style gurus have spoken: Spring is the season of micro-minis and miniscule shorts. And when hemlines rise, our legs – and all their imperfections – are on full display. This is fine if you’re Gisele Bündchen, but the rest of us may feel a twinge of panic at the thought of exposing our not-so-perfect gams. So how to take full advantage of spring’s trendiest fashions while still flattering your figure? Read on for our expert advice…

Fast Fixes for Figure FlawsMuscular Legs“Form-fitting skirts will exaggerate your butt, thighs and bulges,” says April Steiner, a celebrity stylist with Exclusive Artists Management who has worked with Katie Holmes and Nicole Richie.

Choose a light and floaty fabric instead, ideally with an A-line cut.

Or, shimmy into some leggings. A pair that hits two inches above the ankle will conceal most of the leg.

“Wear them with ballet flats or a peep-toe heel with a slight platform in the front for a retro look,” Steiner suggests.

Large Calves“Wear a skirt that hits below the knee,” Steiner recommends.

Sandals with a heel can also help elongate and slim the leg.

And steer clear of hemlines that hit at this problem area.

“If you wear leggings that cut off several inches below the knee, you have to have adorable calves,” says Laura Dahl, a fashion designer whose collections can be found at wifebeader.com and LauraDahl.com.

Petite“I recommend a shorter skirt, which will make you look longer and leaner,” Steiner says. “The more leg you see, the better.”

If you’re worried about looking too much like a cheerleader, slip on a pair of leggings that hit at mid-calf.

And even if you’re dying to add inches to your frame, tottering around in sky-high stilettos is neither practical nor flattering.

“You don’t have to fake your height if you’re petite,” Dahl says. “Pair a cute ballet flat with a skirt that hits at the knee.”

A Tummy“High-waisted skirts are trendy this season,” Dahl says.

But for women with a bit of a belly, a high waist draws attention right to the problem area.

Instead, choose skirts that sit lower.

Chubby KneesA skirt hitting three inches above the knee will accent this area.

Instead, try a hemline that skims the knee or falls just below it.

Steiner recommends a prairie length (mid-calf) or peasant skirt.

Hemline Basics No matter what your body shape, the placement of your hemline can mean the difference between sexy siren and dumpy frump.

If you wear a skirt that falls below the knee, “the hemline should hit at the slimmest part of the calf,” Steiner explains.

In general, this is four inches below the knee. If you’re petite, she recommends a skirt that brushes just below the knee.

Want to hike it up?

Miniskirts excluded, above-the-knee lengths should hit at the lower third of your quadriceps, says Dahl.

Generally, this is about an inch and a half above your knee.

Love Those Leggings Leggings allow you to don a mini without baring an inch of thigh. These staples of the ’80 now have a modern twist and made a smash last fall.

“The layered look is in right now,” Dahl says.

Because leggings are in vogue, “this season is a great time for skirts,” Dahl says.

We can have the sex appeal of a shorter hemline, but also cover our legs as much – or as little – as we want.

The only caveat to this look? It can be too hot when the sun strikes.

To stay cool while still covering your legs, choose footless tights, which are made of a thinner material than leggings. Just make sure to cover your tush; unlike leggings, footless tights are often sheer.

Another word of caution from the style experts: Steer clear of leggings that hit just below the knee.

While leggings and tights can keep you covered up in a miniskirt, both Steiner and Dahl agree that the style doesn’t work with Daisy Dukes.

If you want to wear short shorts, it’s best to bare all and hope it’s not a chilly day.

The most important thing is to have confidence, and a great pair of thighs won’t hurt either!

For a more wearable look, try Bermuda shorts, clam-diggers or capris, which are always in, Steiner says.

Just keep in mind the rules about hemlines: Keep them less than two inches above the knee or four inches below the knee so the hemline falls at the slimmest part of the calf or thigh.

The Long and Short of ItRemember, the goal is to balance out your look, emphasizing your favorite body parts while concealing the others.

Choose skirts that skim, not hug, your curves (“when in doubt, always go with a larger size,” Dahl says), and you’ll always look good. Make sure that you don’t have to suck in or worry about any bulges – you’ll be comfortable and you can breathe.

“Comfort is such a huge part of looking good,” Steiner says.

What Do You Know About Leg Exercises?You’ve got legs, but do you know how to use them? A cardio workout is certain to get your heart pumping, but it’s the strength-training exercises that will help you achieve the slim, sleek and sexy legs that turn heads. Do you know what it takes to get great gams? It’s time to put your best foot forward and see if you’re making all the right moves with this leg exercises quiz.